The Buried Bones Mystery
by Sharon Draper
NB: It seems this series has been rebranded as the “Clubhouse Mysteries”. No idea what was behind the change.
A few years back I was desperately trying to add some diversity to my classroom reading library. I had books with minority characters but so many of them seemed to be “issues” books. There was just no way I was getting a third grader who wants to grow up to be a baller to sit down and read The Watsons Go to Birmingham–1963. Setting aside the fact that it would be too hard for many of my third grader readers, I wanted something current, fun and featuring characters that my students could connect with. I felt like I’d won the lottery when I read this series by Sharon Draper. I’d known her as an author of young adult books and was thrilled to find she was writing for younger audiences. Ziggy is not only interesting and entertaining, it features characters with a variety of backgrounds and family structures. PLUS, it’s infused with black history. Seriously, sign me up.
Ziggy and his friends have their summer ball playing plans destroyed when they find the basketball poles at their local park have been dissected by a chain saw. They decide to form a club, but end up with a mystery to solve, a mystery that ends up teaching them about local history and making them a new friend!
As I mentioned before, the boys learn about black history and there are cool references throughout: Tuskegee, kalimba, Nairobi.
Also, you may want to check out Draper’s website for more cool information and for a discussion guide.
Great for: This covers an amazing interest range. The reading level is somewhere in between grades 2-3. The characters are in fifth grade though, so it’s a really good choice for older kids who are reading below grade level. There are no serious content concerns (which often happens with books about older kids) and yet I believe there’s enough depth that older children won’t feel like they’re reading baby stuff. Sharon Draper you are a genius and my hat is off to you.
Sex, Nudity, Dating – None.
Profanity – None.
Death, Violence and Gore – The boys are in possession of firecrackers which is dangerous, but there is much discussion of whether or not they should have them. The boys find human bones in a trunk buried in the yard. I promise that it is not nearly as scary as it sounds. An man threatens to bury the boys.
Drugs, Alcohol and Smoking – None.
Frightening or Intense Things – Aside from the aforementioned bones and some mentions of cemeteries, nothing should spook even younger readers.
